Family disputes report Marine recruit killed himself

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The family of a Marine recruit who died during training in South Carolina is disputing a Marine account that he killed himself amid a widespread culture of hazing and abuse in the Corps.

Shiraz Khan, the attorney for the family of Raheel Siddiqui, released a statement saying there's a lack of evidence that the 20-year-old Taylor, Michigan, resident killed himself March 18 at Parris Island by jumping into a 40-foot stairwell.

Khan released the statement to the Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/2d00EMT ) saying Siddiqui didn't have any conditions that disqualified him from joining the Marines and it's impossible to accept he died by suicide.

The Marine Corps has said the death could lead to punishments for as many as 20 officers and enlisted leaders, some of whom have already been fired.